-1Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters

--

They had walked for a couple more hours after that. Harry felt much safer with the large dog beside him.

Along their way, several other late night pedestrians stopped to stare at the unlikely pair, but no one else bothered them.

Eventually they had walked into yet another residential area and found a large grassy area. At first Harry had believed it was another park, but on closer inspection he realized it was a golf course.

His new companion seemed to enjoy the large open area in any case, Harry mused. Harry watched as the dog ran happily through the grass.

"You like it here?" Harry asked lightly after the dog had finished running around.

The dog barked in assent.

"Good, because I don't think I can walk much longer without getting some rest," Harry admitted tiredly. Harry looked around the large golf course and saw several groups of trees in the distance.

"We'll rest by those trees over there, probably be a bit safer than out here in the open," Harry decided.

--

Fenrir woke up more contented than he had in many days. When he opened his eyes he quickly realized why. Harry was sleeping peacefully next to him.

Fenrir frowned as he noted that Harry had quite a few scratches upon him and some painful looking bruising around his neck that he didn't notice the night before.

He also noticed that Harry had lost whatever weight and healthy pallor the boy had achieved while with his pack.

Fenrir forced down his anger with the wizards that allowed such things to happen to Harry before reaching out to gently brush the boy's messy hair through his fingers. Harry sighed contentedly but did not awake.

Fenrir smiled before staring into the quickly brightening sky. He supposed he could turn back into his wolf form of his own volition now.

But Fenrir quickly discarded that idea. It would hardly help the situation if he procrastinated. Fenrir shrugged out of his long fur cloak and draped it over Harry's sleeping form while trying to decide what to say when the boy woke.

About an hour later Fenrir watched amusedly as Harry burrowed deeper into his makeshift bed, brining the cloak over his head and curling into a tighter ball.

Meanwhile Harry was wondering in his sleep fogged brain just when the Dursleys managed to get such soft and nice smelling blankets. Harry mentally shrugged. It didn't matter, he decided, he was comfortable now. As Harry began to vaguely wonder when he should force himself up, Harry suddenly remembered that he had run away from the Durselys the night before. He had fallen asleep in a golf course. A place definitely devoid of blankets Harry was certain. Before he could give himself more time to panic, Harry jumped up with his wand drawn as he searched around him.

Harry's eyes widened in shock as he saw Fenrir sitting comfortably by a near by tree with a small smirk upon his face.

"Venren! It's really you!" Harry launched himself at the man and gave him a quick hug.

Harry was very relieved to see Venren, especially since the last time he had seen him, the man had been gravely injured.

Fenrir laughed deeply and easily picked Harry up and spun him in a circle. Harry yelped in surprised before Venren set him upon the ground once more.

"I'm happy to see you too, little one," Fenrir replied.

"I can't believe you're actually here," Harry began excitedly. "You wouldn't believe what happened. I had to go stay with my relatives but then there were dementors and then I ran away. I was going to try to find you or someone but then I got caught by this random person outside of a bar and then there was this dog-" Harry suddenly stopped his rambling as he turned around and scanned the grassy area around him.

"I had a dog. He was Huge! I wonder where he got to?" Harry's eyes landed suspiciously upon Fenrir once more.

Fenrir regarded Harry gravely.

Harry took a step backwards in sudden realization.

"It was you, wasn't it?" Harry asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Fenrir took a breath before nodding slightly in response.

Harry sighed and looked down at the ground. "Well thanks then, for saving me again I mean."

"You don't seem as surprised as you might be. They told you what I am then?" Fenrir asked pointedly.

"Remus did-," Harry answered.

"Remus?" Fenrir interrupted. Of all the people that Harry could have spoken to, Remus was the last person the Fenrir would have wished for.

Harry nodded.

"And he had only the best of events to relate to you?" Fenrir asked sarcastically.

"Not really, but he said a lot of things. Most of which I didn't believe, that was why I was going to find you, and to make sure you were alright of course. But was he right? Are you really Fenrir Greyback?" Harry asked nervously.

"This is not the place to discuss such things. Come, I will take us back to the safety of our woods and there I will truthfully answer any questions you may have," Fenrir replied as he held out his hand.

Harry hesitated for a moment, unsure what to do. Harry's hesitation hurt Fenrir more than Harry would ever know, but Fenrir did not let it show on his face. He only spoke once more.

"Come Harry, I assure you that no harm will come to you while you are with me…And after our talk, if you still wish to leave, I will take you back to your school or wherever else you may wish to go," It was hard for Fenrir to add the last part but he refused to keep Harry against his will any longer.

After a beat of silence, Harry nodded and took Fenrir's hand.

--

Harry chose a comfortable looking spot upon a rock in one of the many familiar clearings that surrounded Venren's home.

Fenrir sat down easily in the grass before Harry. Harry noted that the older man's dark boots matched the surrounding leaves. Which led Harry to belatedly remember that he still had the man's cloak. It was a nice cloak though, very soft. Perhaps Venren wouldn't mind if he kept it for just a bit longer, Harry mused.

"Harry?" Fenrir asked for the third time.

"What?" Harry asked, suddenly jilted from his drifting thoughts.

"Your mind was wandering there for a minute. Did you have any specific questions?" Fenrir asked.

Harry blushed. "Oh yes, I did," Harry started as he tried to get his thoughts back into line. It was so very hard to worry about other things here, especially with the early morning sun shining happily through the clearing. But that wasn't important at the moment. Harry cleared his throat and decided to begin with basic questions.

"So you're a werewolf then? Just to make sure, because you weren't really acting like one yesterday," Harry asked.

Fenrir nodded in understanding. "Yes, I am a werewolf. But I can see why you might be confused. Wizards are very biased against werewolves, what you have heard about us are our worst qualities magnified and then generalized to our whole race. Although, I do admit that it is dangerous for the majority of turned werewolves to be among humans during the full moon. Remus explained the difference between turned and pureblood werewolves?" Fenrir asked.

"A little," Harry answered.

"Yes, well the reason I was able to keep greater control over myself during the full moon is because I am a pureblood werewolf. Being born a werewolf, I have greater restraint than most werewolves who were changed into one," Fenrir answered.

"So you can see, hear, and smell better than most other turned werewolves?" Harry asked again for clarification.

"Among other things, yes," Fenrir answered.

Harry nodded and took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for the more personal questions.

"So you really are Fenrir Greyback?"

"That is my given name, yes," Fenrir answered tensely. Harry closed his eyes. Remus had actually been telling the truth! Harry fought down the urge to immediately run. He had wanted answers and he would get them.

"And…did you really turn Remus into a werewolf?" Harry asked.

"Yes, I did. I was angry with him. I admit that what I did was foolish but I regret it now."

Harry nodded but couldn't help asking,

"Would you ever do something like that again?"

"No," Fenrir answered immediately. Harry breathed out a sigh of relief before going on.

"I know some stories about…you. They say you killed many wizards before. Would you ever kill again? Harry asked.

Fenrir gave him an amused look. He had just murdered someone the night before after all.

"Oh, you know what I mean. Like children or innocent people," Harry clarified.

"No, I wouldn't do those things again. I realized a long time ago that murdering innocent humans did little to promote better living condition for my kind. We are too scattered now to make difference against the wizards any longer. All I try to do is protect my pack within my own lands now," Fenrir explained.

"And why didn't you tell me any of this before now?" Harry asked.

"I was going to tell you," Fenrir reaffirmed. "I just wanted you to get to know everyone before you found out what we are. But then you were taken from me and I didn't get the chance to explain. I apologize," Fenrir replied regretfully.

Harry nodded understandingly, what Fenrir said did make sense. Fenrir smiled, genuinely happy that Harry had forgiven him that so easily.

After a moment, Harry looked down at his hands and fidgeted slightly as he tried to decide how to phrase his next question.

"Well, you know Remus and Dumbledore?"

Harry asked, immediately feeling foolish, of course Fenrir would know them.

"Yes?" Fenrir asked leadingly as he wondered what next question would make Harry squirm so.

"Well, they sort of told me some things," Harry added.

"And?" Fenrir asked, marveling at how red Harry's cheeks could become when he was embarrassed.

Harry sighed and decided to just talk as quickly as possible.

"They told me you only saved me because you thought I was your mate," Harry winced as he finished, the statement sounded so much more preposterous when it was spoken out loud.

"They told you?" Fenrir asked angrily.

Harry's eyes popped open. "You mean it's True?!" Harry asked incredulously.

"No! Yes. In a way, it's complicated-"

"What does that mean?" Harry asked heatedly. "You know, you're just like them. Always hiding-"

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Fenrir shouted as he felt his long canines lengthen in anger, not with Harry but with the wizards that would put such notions in Harry's head.

Harry looked up at Fenrir, suddenly frightened. Fenrir took in Harry's expression and immediately regretted letting his temper come to the forefront.

Fenrir carded his fingers through his hair in frustration and knelt before Harry.

"You have to know I would never hurt you-" Fenrir took a deep breath. "It just frustrates me when others tell you lies. I did not save you just because I wanted you for my mate. We share the same heritage, no matter how masked it is within you right now. It for that reason that I saved you. And I would like the think that I would have stopped your murder even if you were entirely human. I do not condone the murder of children."

Although Harry was happy to hear that, it still didn't clarify everything.

"That still doesn't answer the second part of my question. Are you…" Harry sighed. "What does this mean?" Harry asked, gesturing vaguely to the mark upon his arm.

"It's complicated," Fenrir answered. "I was not planning on discussing this with you yet," Fenrir admitted.

"What? Why not?" Harry asked sharply.

"Because it is no concern of yours now-"

"No concern?" Harry interrupted.

"No, wait. Just listen," Fenrir asked.

"Alright! I'm listening," Harry answered a moment later, clearly frustrated.

"I was not planning on speaking of this with you yet primarily because of your age. Your are only 14-"

"I'll be 15 soon," Harry noted.

"I know but it doesn't change the fact that in the eyes of pack, you are still, for all intents and purposes…a cub. To put it in our terms."

"A cub?" Harry asked hollowly.

"Yes. Werewolves have many traditions, ceremonies, and well…rules. And one of those rules is that cubs can not be formally courted. The only reason I marked you so soon is because of the other rival werewolf packs. I thought that by marking you, it would discourage them from trying to attain you before you formally accepted or declined my offer."

"That's who those people were? Those that attacked us, they were other werewolf packs?"

"Yes, apparently some werewolf packs do not follow the old ways of conduct as I do," Fenrir answered bitterly.

"And they attacked us because of me? Because they wanted to…" Harry stopped, he couldn't finish.

"They wanted to possess you for their own advantage, with or without your consent. You are what werewolves know as a Lycan-"

"Yes, I know! I'm a Lycan Bearer apparently. Remus already told me, I can have children or cubs or whatever. It makes absolutely no sense to me-"

"I will explain the details if or when you choose to mate," Fenrir replied reassuringly.

Harry shrugged. "I don't care. What's the point? Why are you even telling me any of this. If I'm so important to you werewolves why haven't you just bitten my already?" Harry asked cynically.

"I told you, I do not do those sorts of things any longer. And neither do my pack members. And the reason I am telling you all of this is because I want you to be fully aware of your options before you make your choice."

"My choice?" Harry asked.

"Yes, whether to be bitten and continue living here with my pack or go back and live with your wizards," Fenrir answered, trying very hard not to sneer as he spoke the detestable word, 'wizard'.

Harry's eyes widened with surprise. "You're actually going to give me a choice?" Harry asked.

"Yes, I said I would," Fenrir answered. "You seem surprised?" Fenrir asked a moment later.

Harry nodded a little, "I don't get a choice in what happens to me very often."

"Well you will always have choices here. You have the rest of the day to make yours. Go to the dinning hall if you are hungry. And if you have any other question do not hesitate to ask," Fenrir added before he turned to go.

Harry nodded unhurriedly in response.

"Oh, and Harry?" Fenrir asked as he turned slightly.

"Yes?" Harry looked up.

"You can keep the cloak."

Harry looked down to notice that he was still clutching Fenrir's cloak harshly. Harry let go quickly and looked up once more to apologize, but Fenrir was gone.

--

Harry sat upon his rock for several more minutes before putting on Fenrir's cloak, it was a bit cold after all. Harry supposed he should go to the dinning hall at least, to get some something to eat. But he didn't feel like eating.

Harry turned in the opposite direction of the camp. He needed time to think. As Harry walked, he remembered how much he had missed this forest. It gave him a calm and safe feeling in a weird way. Strange that he would feel more comfortable in a wild forest than within Hogwarts. Was it because of his werewolf side, Harry wondered.

After several minutes of walking, Harry could see a break in the tree line. Several feet of bare rock edged the line of trees before dropping gradually to shape the valley below which was also covered with trees.

As Harry breathed in deeply and surveyed the forest below him, he heard a rustling sound behind him. Harry turned quickly to see Thedron stepping out of the forest nimbly.

Thedron looked up a moment later.

"Harry! I'm glad to see you back," Thedron greeted. "I didn't mean to bother you, I'll just go then-"

"You don't have to go," Harry heard himself saying. He suddenly didn't want to be alone.

"Is Fenrir around?" Thedron asked.

Harry thought that was a weird question to ask but answered anyway. "No…why?"

"Oh it's just that…well he's been a little irritable lately since you left. But now that you're here, there should be no problem," Thedron answered much more comfortably.

"Oh," Harry started, unsure how to answer that. "So…um, were you looking for something over here?" Harry asked a moment later.

Thedron shook his head. "No, I just like the view from here."

"Yes, me too. I just found this place actually. Hey, there's no reason for you to leave, you can watch the view with me," Harry offered.

"Alright," Thedron agreed easily before he sat beside Harry upon the flat rock. The two sat in companionable silence for several moments before Thedron began telling Harry about several things he had missed while he was away. "Then Anita fell out of that tall tree over by the falls, luckily John caught her though," Thedron trailed off. It was obvious that Harry wasn't entirely listening.

Thedron cleared his throat. "You don't have to answer… but are you ok, Harry? You seem sort of quiet."

Harry shrugged. "I just have a lot on my mind. You know Fenrir told me about everything, right?"

Thedron nodded. "Yes, but you're still here so I assumed that you had decided to stay with us anyway."

"I'm-I'm still thinking about it," Harry answered nervously. Thedron looked down a bit worriedly.

"So, you don't want to stay with us?" Thedron asked dejectedly.

"No, it's not that, it's more complicated than just asking myself if I would rather stay here or not. I have responsibilities in the wizarding world," Harry answered.

"You didn't ask for the responsibility that the wizards gave you. You should feel no obligation to them."

"I don't feel obligated to them. It's only that I lived with them for the last four years. I have friends there…and enemies too. I need to finish my schooling so that I will have a chance to stand up to Voldemort the next time around."

"Fenrir will protect you-"

"I don't want him to have to protect me," Harry shook his head. "It doesn't matter. I can't be the person you want me to be anyways"

"What do you mean?" Thedron asked confusedly.

"I can't be Fenrir's…whatever," Harry replied as he waved his mark in front of Thedron.

"Oh," Thedron replied understandingly. "Well, that doesn't have anything to do with your becoming a werewolf. You can decline his offer upon your 16th birthday if you wish. I can't see why you would want to decline, but it is your decision."

Harry rolled his eyes in exasperation. "I couldn't just decline after being allowed to live here-"

"Sure you could. Who you choose as your mate is entirely your decision. I've even read in some of the tales from the old days that lycan bearers could make their suitors fight to the death before choosing a partner. Besides, who your mate is doesn't change the fact that you would be part of this pack if you were changed into a werewolf. Your right to be here as one of us would never be challenged," Thedron assured.

Harry sighed and placed his hands in his arms. "I just don't know what to do. Part of me feels so comfortable here but another part keeps reminding me that I have other places I should be."

Thedron looked quizzically at Harry, trying to think of something that would help Harry with his decision. "Alright Harry, forget all the restrictions of your life. Without worrying about anything else, what would you want your life to be like?"
Harry stared blankly at the forest below. It was hard to think purely about what he wanted without worrying about other things.

"I would want to not be restricted. To be able to see any of my friends, Merri and Hermione or Ron and John. Not just one or the other. I would want to finish my schooling at Hogwarts but still be able to spend time here in this forest too," Harry shrugged. "It's rather pointless wishing though. I can't have both," Harry said as he looked at Thedron sadly.

Thedron only smirked. "You never know. Tell Fenrir what you want and I'm sure he'd try to make you happy."

Harry scoffed. "Fenrir would never let me stay with wizards if I were a werewolf. He hates wizards."

"True. But he most certainly doesn't hate you and he might make an exception."

"I doubt it," Harry muttered.

"Try it, you never know."

"Maybe," Harry agreed as he looked down on the forest in thought.

--

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